How Computer Monitors Work

Often referred to as a monitor when packaged in a separate case, the display is the most-used output device on a computer. The display provides instant feedback by showing you text and graphic images as you work or play.

Most desktop displays use liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, while nearly all portable computing devices such as laptops incorporate LCD technology. Because of their slimmer design and lower energy consumption, monitors using LCD technology (also called flat panel or flat screen displays) are replacing the venerable CRT on most desktops.

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Resolution refers to the number of individual dots of color, known as pixels, contained on a display. Resolution is expressed by identifying the number of pixels on the horizontal axis (rows) and the number on the vertical axis (columns), such as 800x600. Resolution is affected by a number of factors, including the size of the screen.

As monitor sizes have increased over the years, display standards and resolutions have changed.

Common Display Standards and Resolutions

XGA (Extended Graphics Array) = 1024x768

SXGA (Super XGA) = 1280x1024

UXGA (Ultra XGA) = 1600x1200

QXGA (Quad XGA) = 2048x1536

WXGA (Wide XGA) = 1280x800

WSXGA+ (Wide SXGA plus) = 1680x1050

WUXGA (Wide Ultra XGA) = 1920x1200

WQHD = 2560 x 1440

WQXGA = 2560 x 1600

QSXGA = 2560 x 2048

In addition to the screen size, display standards and resolutions are related to something called the aspect ratio. Next, we'll discuss what an aspect ratio is and how screen size is measured.